Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cordon'

English Word: cordon

Key Russian Translations:

• кордон [kɐˈron] - [Formal, Military context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, historical, or security discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кордон: [kɐˈron]

Note on кордон: The stress is on the second syllable ('ron), which is common in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft 'o' sound, similar to the 'a' in "father" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A line of people or troops for defense, control, or separation

Translation(s) & Context:

• кордон - Used in formal or military contexts to describe a barrier or line of guards, often in security or historical settings.

Usage Examples:

• Во время митинга полиция выставила кордон, чтобы предотвратить беспорядки.

  During the rally, the police set up a cordon to prevent riots.

• В исторических фильмах часто показывают, как солдаты образуют кордон на границе.

  In historical films, soldiers are often shown forming a cordon at the border.

• Для безопасности мероприятия вокруг стадиона был организован двойной кордон охраны.

  For the event's security, a double cordon of guards was organized around the stadium.

• В военное время кордон мог состоять из колючей проволоки и патрульных.

  In wartime, a cordon could consist of barbed wire and patrols.

• Местные власти установили кордон вокруг зоны бедствия для ограничения доступа.

  Local authorities established a cordon around the disaster area to restrict access.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кордон" is a masculine noun in Russian, borrowed from French, and follows the standard third declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It is not irregular but can change based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have gender-based variations beyond standard masculine forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • застава (zastáva) - Often used for a border post or checkpoint, with a similar military connotation.
  • барьер (bar'ér) - More general, implying any kind of barrier or obstacle.
• Antonyms:
  • открытый путь (otkrytyy put') - Meaning an open path or unrestricted access.
  • свободный проход (svobodnyy prokhod) - Indicating free passage without barriers.

Related Phrases:

• военный кордон (voyennyy kordon) - Military cordon; a phrase used in contexts of defense or security operations.
• кордон безопасности (kordon bezopasnosti) - Security cordon; commonly refers to protective barriers at events or disaster sites.
• установить кордон (ustanovit' kordon) - To set up a cordon; a fixed expression for organizing a barrier quickly.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "кордон" directly corresponds to the English "cordon" in military and security contexts, but it is more commonly used in formal or historical discussions rather than everyday language. English speakers should note that Russian requires proper declension based on sentence structure—for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "вокруг" (around). When choosing between synonyms like "застава," opt for "кордон" if the emphasis is on a linear barrier. Be aware of its formal tone; in informal speech, alternatives like "барьер" might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "кордон" without proper declension, e.g., saying "вокруг кордон" instead of "вокруг кордона."
  Correct: "Вокруг кордона" (Around the cordon). Explanation: In Russian, nouns must agree in case with prepositions, so the genitive form is required here to avoid grammatical errors.

• Mistake: Confusing "кордон" with "корда" (a rare or misspelled word).
  Correct: Always use "кордон" for the barrier meaning. Explanation: "Корда" isn't a standard word, and this confusion might arise from similar-sounding English terms; double-check spelling to maintain accuracy.

• Mistake: Overusing "кордон" in non-military contexts, e.g., for a simple rope barrier.
  Correct: Use "барьер" for everyday barriers. Explanation: "Кордон" implies a more structured, often armed or official setup, so it can sound overly dramatic if misapplied.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "кордон" is often associated with the imperial and Soviet eras, where it referred to border fortifications or internal security lines during conflicts like the World Wars. This term evokes themes of isolation and defense, reflecting Russia's vast borders and historical emphasis on territorial security, which can add a layer of national pride or tension in modern discussions.

Related Concepts:

• граница (granitsa) - Border
• патруль (patrul') - Patrol
• защитный барьер (zashchitnyy bar'er) - Protective barrier